Swimming pool coping

ABSTRACT

A coping for a swimming pool comprising a body member having a top wall portion including means for removably receiving an insert whereby the coping, by selective choice of color, chemical composition, texture and/or character of the insert material, may be enhanced in appearance and made highly functional. The coping further includes means for removably receiving a member of selected material, e.g., tile so as to conceal the bead receiving portion of the pool and so as to give the pool the appearance of having a side wall made from the selected material.

United States Patent 1191 Stillman, Jr.

1 Dec. 11, 1973 SWIMMING POOL COPING 3,335,429 8/1967 Arp 4/172.213,347,006 10 1967 F 52 300 [76] Inventor Albert s'lllman 38 Southern3,464,067 91969 112E611 4 17 2.21 -l Nesconset, NY. 3,628,198 12 1971Katzman 4/172.21

[22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1972 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis PP 3121695Attorney-Arthur Groeninger Related U.S. Application Data [60] Divisionof Ser. No. 184,295, Sept, 27, 1971, which is [57] ABS TRACT acontinuation of Ser. NO. 793,862, Jan. 24, 1969, A COPmg for a swlmmmgP9 comprfsmg a y abandoned. member having a top wall portion includmgmeans for removably receiving an insert whereby the coping, by [52] U.S.Cl. 47172.21 selective choice f color, chemical composition, [51] Int.Cl E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 tur and/0r ha a t f th insert ma ay be [58]Field of Search 4/172, 172.21, 172.18; nhanc in appe ance nd made highlyfunctional.

52/300 The coping further includes means for removably re- 1 ceiving amember of selected material, e.g., tile so as [56] References Cited toconceal the bead receiving portion of the pool and UNITED STATES PATENTSso as to give the pool the appearance of having a side 3 298 039 1,1967schmerler M172 21 wall made from the selected material. 31310314 3/1967Lipman 4/172.21 19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 27 30 I0 I 3/ 4 ll 1 24 242O 1 7 1e Q 7 pcj'u'fl a", I "a 9? wff/ 1 e 8 ii if 2 i 0 I g;

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Swimming pools have been provided withcopings so as to provide an aesthetically pleasing, neatly finishedappearance to the edge thereof. Heretofore, these copings have sufferedmany disadvantages.

Outdoor exposure, wear and pool chemicals tend to degrade the appearanceof these copings thereby necessitating replacement of the entire copingor costly repair. In addition, changing the texture, character andappearance of a coping to suit the changing whim of a pool owner is notpossible as reconditioning is generally limited to applying a new coatof paint.

Heretofore, copings have been used for aesthetic purposes and notfunctional purposes. This is because no one has been able to impartfunctional structure to conventional coping structure. For example,attempts have been made to impart a non-slip surface to a coping byforming ribs in the upper surface thereof. Such modification is oflittle help as it does not change the coefficient of friction of thecoping. Moreover, while ribs tend to prevent slip, they frequently areinclined to be rough thereby causing skin abrasions when engaged by thehands and limbs of the pool user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION A coping for a swimming pooladapted to have an insert comprised of natural or synthetic carpeting,artificial grass, coco matting, decorative plastic sheeting or the like,releasably secured thereto. The coping includes a top wall portionhaving a recess for releasably receiving the insert.

By judicious selection of the color and texture of the insert material,the insert may be made to greatly enhance the aesthetic appearance ofthe coping. Further,

the appearanceand texture of the coping may be readily changed, ifdesired, by inserting a new insert thereby providing selectionandminimizing the cost of repair.

The texture of the insert may be selected so as to impart a non-slipcharacter, of any-desired degreejto the coping. As contrasted with anembossed rib structure of the prior art, the non-slip insert materialmay be made spongy so as to avoid skin abrasion.

The coping can be made highly functional. For example, the insert-may bemade of coco matting or similar material so as to provide a surfacesuitable for wiping feet prior to entry'into the pool. 1 e

The coping of the present invention includes further means for receivingadditional inserts which are directed to changing the appearance of saidside wall of a pool. In this embodiment of the invention, the forwardedge of the coping includes means for removably securing thereto amember of selected material, e.g., tile, so as to conceal the beadreceiving portion of the pool and so as to give the appearance of a poolhaving a sidewall of the selected material. T

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of recessmeans in the top surface of the coping for receiving the insert. Inaddition to removably re-' ceiving the insert, this recess may be shapedto provide a banking surface for diving off the coping and stillfurther, may be used for gripping the coping when the swimmer is gettingout of the pool.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a swimmingpool having a coping constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. I

FIG. 2 is a cross section of a coping, constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fragment of a pool side wall togetherwith coping constructed in accordance with a modified version of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the coping shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of a swimming poolis shown including a decking 1 formed of concrete sections or tiles, andcoping 2 constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The pool of FIG. 1 is constructed by digging a suitable hole in ground3, shaping the floor to have the desired contour and then installing aseries of vertically disposed steel walls 4 as shown in FIG. 2. It is tobe understood that walls 4 may be of any desired material of suitablestrength such as heavy timber and the like.

Wall 4 has an integrally connected header flange 5 extending outwardlyfrom the upper end thereof. A threaded coping connecting bolt 6 isadapted to be examined through aperture 7 in flange 5 when the coping isinstalled. I

In order to render the sidewalls as well as the bottom of the poolwaterproof, a lining 8 of sheet plastic material, such as a suitablevinyl compound, polyethylene or the like, is provided and, as shown,extends upward along wall 4. The lining 8 is secured at its upper end tocoping 2 of the present invention, as hereinafter described.

Referring to FIG. 2, the novel coping 2 of the present invention willnow be describedfCoping 2 includes a rear wall 9,- a top wall 10 and aforward wall 11, preferablyformed by extrusion of suitable aluminumalloys or other corrosion resistant material.

The rear endwall9 of the coping '2 extends downwardly in'abu ttingengagement with decking 1. Rear end wall 9 has an inwardly extendingsupport flange 12 resting on ground 3 and bearing against corner portion5A of header flange 5. A flange l3, downwardly depending from top wall10, provides additional support for the rear portion of coping 2. H

The forward end wall 1 1 of coping 2 isshaped to provide a convex outersurface which conceals and protects the upper edge of thepool, providesan attractive curvature to the coping, and deflects back waves of water.that splash up from lining 8.

A U-shaped member 14 is provided at the bottom of forward end wall 11and comprises leg portions 15 and 16 connected by a bight portion 17.Leg 15 is integrally connected to a flange l8 downwardly depending fromthe bottom of forward end wall 11. Leg l6 rests on flange 5 and providessupport for forward end 11. A flange 19 downwardly depends from leg 16and bears against side wall 4 so as to prevent inadvertent shifting ofcoping 2.

A flange 20 extends upwardly from leg '16 thereby defining a restrictedopening into U-shaped member 14. The restricted opening is adapted toreceive therein a rectangular resilient bead 21 which protrudes from theupper edge of liner 8. The bead 21 is adapted to be snapped into therestricted opening under hard pressure.

The hollow interior of the coping 2 provided a downwardly extendingflange 22 having a U-shaped member 23 extending downwardly therefrom.Member 23 is adapted to connect the coping 2 to flange 5. Member 23 iscomprised of two leg portions 24 extending downwardly from central bightportion 25 integrally connected to flange 22. Leg portions 24 are spacedfrom each other predetermined distances and their inside surfaces 26 areprovided with serrations so as to lockably snap onto the threaded end ofbolt 6. This provides a relatively simple method for permanentlyattaching the coping 2 in place. U-shaped member 23 also engages flangeproviding further support for coping 2.

The top wall of coping 2 is provided with a recess 27 which is adaptedto receive an insert 28. Recess 27 is formed with a bottom wall 29extending between and connected to flanges 13 and 22. The top wallincludes extensions 30 and 31 which overlap the bottom wall 29 andtogether with the bottom wall define grooves for snugly and removablysecuring opposite edges of insert 28. Extension 30 may also be used as agripping edge so as to assist the swimmer in pulling himself out of thepool.

The insert 29 is easily removable and thus can be replaced and changedat a minimum cost. If removability is not a particularly desirablefeature, adhesive may be coated on the bottom wall 29 to morepermanently hold the insert 28 in place. Water insoluble adhesive ispreferably employed so as to avoid delamination on water splashing outof the pool.

If convenience is desired, the insert 28 may be provided (not shown)with a pressure sensitive adhesive coating, or a double faced adhesivemay be laid down on bottom wall 29.

If desired, insert 28 may be made substantially flush with surface ofthe top wall by making bottom wall 29 parallel with top wall 10. Ifdesired, the insert 28 may extend above the coping, the only requirementbeing that the opposite edges of the insert be of a dimension to fitinto the opposed grooves in the recess While recess 27 is the preferredmeans for securing the insert 28, it is to be understood that anyconventional securing means could be employed. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that recess 27 may be provided in a separate member which isadapted to be rested or secured to coping 2.

Insert 28 may be selected from any number of materials depending on thequalities desired to be imparted to the coping 2. Materials such asnatural and synthetic carpeting, artificial grass, coco matting,decorative plastic sheeting, decorative fabrics, polyurethane foam,natural sponge, etc. may be used.

Particularly suitable synthetic carpeting is marine carpeting sold underthe trademark Naugehyde and exterior carpeting sold under the trademarkOzite. Ozite is made from polypropylene filaments while Naugahyde ismade from polyvinyl choloride.

The color of the insert is made to contrast with the I color of thecoping 2 so as to enhance the overall appearance of the coping 2. Inaddition, the color of insert 28 may be varied or indicia may be placedon insert 28 so as to provide an indication of pool depth.

The texture of the insert may be selected so as to enhance theappearance of the coping 28 while imparting other desired qualities tothe coping. If coco matting is used as the insert material 28, thesurface may be used by a swimmer to wipe his feet free of grassclippings and the like prior to pool use. Spongy material may be usedsuch as natural sponge, so as to make the coping resilient therebyminimizing injury on slipping or fallmg.

One of the most important advantages of the insert 28 is that it may beselected so as to enhance the nonslip character of the coping. Insertmaterial, having a coefficient of friction greater than the coefficientof friction of the material of top wall 10, may be used to accomplishthis result.

In order to further enhance the non-slip character of the coping, it isto be noted that top wall 10 is concave as it moves rearwardly fromforward end to extension 30. Bottom wall 29 of the recess 27 is madeconvex so as to provide a banking surface for swimmers feet therebyenhancing the non-slip character of the coping 2.

While the coping 2 in FIG. 2 is shown with one recess for receiving oneinsert 28, it is to be understood that a plurality of insert receivingrecesses may be provided on the coping. In FIG. 1, it is to be notedthat one edge of the pool is provided with a coping having severalinserts. In addition to enhancing the aesthetic effect, the number ofinserts may be used as an indicator for indi cating such things as pooldepth Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a modification of the presentinvention is illustrated wherein the coping member 2 is modified so asto accommodate a tile receiving member 32 which is adapted to concealthe U- shaped bead receiving member 14 while giving the appearance thatthe pool is constructed with a tile side wall. Member 32 also protectsliner 8 from damage particularly if the pool is left up in winter andskated upon. In this embodiment, the bottom of forward end wall 11 ofthe coping is provided with a second U-shaped member 33 which is adaptedto receive an inwardly extend ing flange 34 of the tile receiving member32. Flange 34 has rib 35 integrally formed therein which is ofsufficient resiliency so as to be capable of being pressed into member33 and snapped into a recess '36 formed therein.

The tile receiving member 32 is provided with tile receiving surfaces 37and 38 (FIG. 4) which are adapted to slidably and removably receive tilemembers 39 (FIG. 3). Surfaces 37 and 38 have inclined end walls 40 and41, the outer extremities of which overlap the tile members 39 so as tohold them in place.

It is thought that the invention and may of its intended advantages willbe understood by the foregoing description, and it is believed thatvarious changes will be made in the form, construction and arrangementwithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing allof its material advantages, the embodiments hereinbefore described bemerely for purposes of illustration.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination comprising a swimming pool and a swimming pool copingstructure, said coping structure surrounding said swimming poolcomprising a body member including a top wall, means for securing saidbody member to a surface adjacent the edge of said swimming pool,a-member having a color contrasting with a color of at least a portionof the remainder of said coping structure, a channel through said topwall in said body member for receiving said member to secure said memberto said body member, the coefficient of friction of said member beingdifferent from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of theremainder of said body member.

2. The combination comprising a swimming pool and a swimming pool copingstructure comprisinga body member including a top wall portion, meansfor securing said body member to a surface adjacent the edge of a pool,a channel through the top wall portion in said body member for securinga member to said body member, said last mentioned means including meansextending from said wall portion and overlapping at least a portion ofsaid member, the coefficient of friction on said member beingdifferential from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part ofthe remainder of said body member.

3. A swimming pool structure comprising a pool a coping surrounding amajor portion of the pool including: means for securing the coping to asurface adjacent the edge of said pool said coping member including atop wall portion a forward wall adjacent the edge of said pool andadjacent the means for securing the coping to said pool, means relatedto the top wall portion of said coping comprising a channel, saidchannel substantially surrounding the pool, and a member of acontrasting color with respect to a substantial part of the remainder ofthe coping, positioned in said channel so that said member substantiallysurrounds said pool and substantially defines the location of the pool.I 4. A swimming pool coping positioned adjacent an edge of a swimmingpool comprising:

a top wall portion a forward wall proximate the pool including a roundedouter end downwardly extending means projecting from said section tostrengthen said coping means difining a channel proximate the downwardlyextending means through said top wall position a member having acontrasting color with respect to a substantial part of the remainder ofthe coping, positioned in said means defining a channel an end sectiondistal from the pool, said end section including a supporting wallpositioned to strengthen said coping. 5. A swimming pool coping adaptedto surround a portion of a pool including means for securing the copingto a surface adjacent a pool said coping including a top wall portion aforward wall adapted to be positioned adjacent a pool means in saidcoping comprising a channel,

through said top wall portion, said channel substantially surrounding apool, and

a member of contrasting color with respect to a substantial part of theremainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so that said membersubstantially surrounds a pool and substantially defines the location ofa pool.

6. A swimming pool coping adapted to surround a portion of a poolincluding means for securing the coping to a surface adjacent a poolsaid coping including a top wall portion a curved wall adapted to bepositioned 99 adjacent a pool means in said coping comprising a channelthrough said top wall portion, said channel substantially surrounding apool, and

a member having a coefficient of friction different from the coefficientof friction of a substantial part of the remainder of the coping,positioned in said channel so that said member substantially surrounds apool.

7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said member comprises a decorativemember of a contrasting color with respect to a major portion of therest of said coping.

8. The swimming pool of claim 3, said member having a coefficient offriction which is different than the coefficient of friction of asubstantial part of the remainder of the coping.

9. The swimming pool coping of claim 5, said member having a coefficientof friction which is different than the coefficient of friction of asubstantial part of the remainder of the coping.

10. The swimming pool coping of claim 5, said member having acoefficient of friction which is different than the coefficient offriction of a substantial part of the remainder of the coping.

11. The swimming pool coping of claim 3 wherein said member comprises aplurality of strips of material.

12. The swimming pool coping of claim 4 wherein means is provided toconnect the liner of a swimming pool to said coping.

13. The swimming pool coping of claim 6 wherein said member comprises aplurality of strips of material.

14. The combination of claim 1 wherein said member comprises adecorative member. I

15. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said member is a thin flexiblesheet of material.

16. The combination of claim 1 wherein the coefficient of friction ofthe human foot on said member is different from the coefficient offriction of a human foot on said body member.

17. The combination of claim 1 wherein said member is removablyinserted.

18. The combination of claim 2 wherein said member is a thin flexiblesheet of material.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said means extending includes alip extending over said flexible sheet of material.

I UNITED STATES PATENTOFFIGE" CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION' Patent Nb.3,777,318 Dated 12111/73' Inventor (s) Albert H Stillman, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 28, after "insert" "29'" should read -2s-, Column 4, line53, "may" should read -m any- Column 5, linel17, "differential" shouldread --c1 :i.fferent-.

7 Column 6, claim '6', line 14, canoel r.

Colgmn 5, line" 45., first worcl, "section" shoulfl read I portion line45, in the last word, "po-sition" should read portion Page 1, thefollowing references sho'fild be added:

303,356 Beck 2,835,937 a V I 4 Hobbs 3,064,273 1 "Kwake 3,239,975 Stier3,349,519 i v Nehlig 3,416,165 Pereira Foreign patents Denmark 7 86,2751958 l Italy 603,876 1960 (inventor Hartmann) Signed and sealed this10th day of "December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY GIBSON 3 c. MARSH-LL mm! Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents5 ORM PO-1050 (10-69) v UscoMM-oc 60376-P69 Q U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTINGOFFICE l", O-Ili-SSI.

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3r777r3l8 D d 12/11/73 Inventor-(s) Albert H. Stillman, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in theab oveidentified patent andthat said Letters Patentare hereby corrected as shown below:

In the certificate of correction dated December 10, 1974: the statement!.'line 45, in the last word, position should read --portion" shouldread;

-line 47, the last word 'position' should read -portion-.

Signed and, sealed this 11th day of March 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patentsand Trademarks FORM po'wso (w'ss) USCOMM-DC 60876-P69 LLS, GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE 2 I959 O356-334,

1. The combination comprising a swimming pool and a swimming pool copingstructure, said coping structure surrounding said swimming poolcomprising a body member including a top wall, means for securing saidbody member to a surface adjacent the edge of said swimming pool, amember having a color contrasting with a color of at least a portion ofthe remainder of said coping structure, a channel through said top wallin said body member for receiving said member to secure said member tosaid body member, the coefficient of friction of said member beingdifferent from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of theremainder of said body member.
 2. The combination comprising a swimmingpool and a swimming pool coping structure comprising a body memberincluding a top wall portion, means for securing said body member to asurface adjacent the edge of a pool, a channel through the top wallportion in said body member for securing a member to said body member,said last mentioned means including means extending from said wallportion and overlapping at least a portion of said member, thecoefficient of friction on said member being differential from thecoefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of saidbody member.
 3. A swimming pool structure comprising a pool a copingsurrounding a major portion of the pool including: means for securingthe coping to a surface adjacent the edge of said pool said copingmember including a top wall portion a forward wall adjacent the edge ofsaid pool and adjacent the means for securing the coping to said pool,means related to the top wall portion of said coping comprising achannel, said channel substantially surrounding the pool, and a memberof a contrasting color with respect to a substantial part of theremainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so that said membersubstantially surrounds said pool and substantially defines the locationof the pool.
 4. A swimming pool coping positioned adjacent an edge of aswimming pool comprising: a top wall portion a forward wall proximatethe pool including a rounded outer end downwardly extending meansprojecting from said section to strengthen said coping means difining achannel proximate the downwardly extending means through said top wallposition a member having a contrasting color with respect to asubstantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in saidmeans defining a channel an end section distal from the pool, said endsection including a supporting wall positioned to strengthen saidcoping.
 5. A swimming pool coping adapted to surround a portion of apool including means for securing the coping to a surface adjacent apool said coping including a top wall portion a forward wall adapted tobe positioned adjacent a pool means in said coping comprising a channel,through said top wall portion, said channel substantially surrounding apool, and a member of contrasting color with respect to a substantialpart of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so thatsaid member substantially surrounds a pool and substantially defines thelocation of a pool.
 6. A swimming pool coping adapted to surround aportion of a pool including means for securing the coping to a surfaceadjacent a pool said coping including a top wall portion a curved walladapted to be positioned 99 adjacent a pool means in said copingcomprising a channel through said top wall portion, said channelsubstantially surrounding a pool, and a member having a coefficient offriction different from the coefficient of friction of a substantialpart of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so thatsaid member substantially surrounds a pool.
 7. The combination of claim2 wherein said member comprises a decorative member of a contrastingcolor with respect to a major portion of the rest of said coping.
 8. Theswimming pool of claim 3, said member having a coefficient of frictionwhich is different than the coefficient of friction of a substantialpart of the remainder of the coping.
 9. The swimming pool coping ofclaim 5, said member having a coefficient of friction which is differentthan the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainderof the coping.
 10. The swimming pool coping of claim 5, said memberhaving a coefficient of friction which is different than the coefficientof friction of a substantial part of the remainder of the coping. 11.The swimming pool coping of claim 3 wherein said member comprises aplurality of strips of material.
 12. The swimming pool coping of claim 4wherein means is provided to connect the liner of a swimming pool tosaid coping.
 13. The swimming pool coping of claim 6 wherein said membercomprises a plurality of strips of material.
 14. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said member comprises a decorative member.
 15. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said member is a thin flexible sheet ofmaterial.
 16. The combination of claim 1 wherein the coefficient offriction of the human foot on said member is different from thecoefficient of friction of a human foot on said body member.
 17. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said member is removably inserted. 18.The combination of claim 2 wherein said member is a thin flexible sheetof material.
 19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said meansextending includes a lip extending over said flexible sheet of material.